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Volkswagen completes design work on new EV platform

Volkswagen has completed the design work for its modular, MEB platform that's geared specifically for electric-vehicle production, Automotive News Europe says, citing comments Volkswagen development head Frank Welsch made at CES in Las Vegas last week. Additionally, VW's Skoda and Seat divisions may use that platform for their own plug-in vehicle models. VW's Audi division is also considering employing the platform, though adoption by Volkswagen's Porsche unit is unlikely. VW expects to start selling its first model specifically designed as an EV (i.e., not converted from existing conventional models such as the Golf and Up!) by 2020. Welsch added that the MEB platform may be used as a base for updated electrified versions of Golf, Tiguan, and Passat. Meanwhile, Skoda will debut as many as five plug-in models by 2025. Europe's largest automaker is looking to further distance itself from the 2015 scandal that involved software that cheats diesel-emissions testing efforts and has cost the company more than $15 billion in US settlements alone. All told, VW and its divisions expect to debut as many as 30 plug-in vehicle models within the next decade. Volkswagen unveiled its I.D. concept vehicle, which is based on the MEB platform and looks somewhat like the BMW i3 electric-vehicle model, at last year's Paris Motor Show. VW said at the time that the vehicle could go as far as 373 miles on a single charge. Additionally, VW will show off an electric SUV concept model at this year's Shanghai Auto Show, and is unveiling a microbus version of the I.D. concept at the Detroit Auto Show this month. Related Video: Featured Gallery Volkswagen I.D. Concept: Paris 2016 View 16 Photos News Source: Automotive News Europe-sub.req. Green Volkswagen SEAT Skoda Green Automakers Electric Hybrid meb

Volkswagen Golf R Variant ready to haul ass, stuff

Volkswagen seems to be playing a cruel trick on the American automotive public at the Los Angeles Auto Show. It's displaying its sexy Golf R Variant with no clear intention of actually selling the model here. The hot wagon launches in Europe in the spring, but the automaker makes absolutely no mention of the model's prospects in the US. Hopefully, its appearance in LA at least indicates VW is considering bringing it stateside. The great thing about this wagon is that it has everything that the regular Golf R offers, but there's even more room to carry stuff. The same 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine makes 296 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque with a six-speed dual-clutch gearbox and 4Motion all-wheel drive. Performance is very close, too, with the Variant R taking 5.1 seconds to get to 62 miles per hour versus the 4.9 seconds the standard R needs to read 60 mph. The two of them also have the same tech goodies like ESC Sport stability control and multiple damping modes. The real advantage to opting for the estate is its ability to carry up to 57.2 cubic feet of cargo in the back. This hot rod wagon would seem to be perfect for the family that needs to haul some extra junk in the trunk, but doesn't want to sacrifice performance. Whether the Variant R makes it to the US remains a mystery, though. Scroll down to read the specs and feel a twinge of jealousy.

10 of 18 midsize SUVs earn 'good' IIHS side impact safety rating

It's not terribly surprising that midsize SUVs earned better safety ratings than small SUVs in the latest side-impact tests performed by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Just how much better they scored, on the other hand, certainly raises an eyebrow. Ten out of 18 midsize SUVs earned the highest rating of 'good' in the stringent new test, altered for vehicles starting with the 2020 model year with a heavier barrier (4,200 pounds) that moves at a higher speed (37 miles per hour) and is fitted with a hard honeycomb frontal structure. By way of contrast, just one out of of 20 small SUVs earned a 'good' score.  SUVs that receiving 'good' scores were the Ford Explorer, Infiniti QX60, Lincoln Aviator, Mazda CX-9, Nissan Pathfinder, Subaru Ascent, Toyota Highlander, Volkswagen Atlas, Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport and Volkswagen ID.4. For EV fans, it's worth noting the ID.4 was the only electric vehicle included in the test. The Buick Enclave and Chevrolet Traverse scraped away with 'acceptable' ratings while the Honda Passport, Honda Pilot, Hyundai Palisade, Jeep Wrangler 4-door, Kia Telluride and Nissan Murano were deemed merely 'marginal' in the tough new test. Only two models — the Mazda CX-9 and Volkswagen ID.4 — earned a "Good" rating in every test category.  Interestingly, the Jeep Wrangler would have scored a 'good' rating if it were equipped with side airbags for the rear seating positions. It would likely be an engineering challenge to equip its removable top and/or doors with airbags, but the lack of that safety feature allowed the head of the rear passenger dummy to hit the vertical support of the top. Otherwise, the Wrangler scored good ratings across the board. The new Ford Bronco, which makes more allowances for side-impact safety, has not yet been tested.  The popular Hyundai Palisade and Kia Telluride SUVs stand out in the test with 'poor' ratings for driver pelvis injuries. The Nissan Murano, a vehicle last redesigned for the 2015 model year, was the only vehicle tested that received a 'poor' rating for its structure and safety cage. Videos of the tests of 12 of these 18 SUVs can be found on the IIHS' YouTube page. Related video: Green Buick Chevrolet Ford Honda Hyundai Infiniti Jeep Kia Mazda Nissan Subaru Toyota Volkswagen Safety Crossover SUV IIHS Insurance Institute for Highway Safety